According to media reports, this morning at about 3 a.m. a hit-and-run driver struck and killed a cyclist in Highland Park. The crime took place at the intersection of North Figueroa and Pasadena Avenue. The L.A. Times reports that witnesses stated the driver was traveling at 80 miles per hour north on Figueroa. The victim was dragged several hundred feet. LAPD were summoned to the scene and are investigating the crime.
Cycling advocates will be gathering tonight at 8 p.m. to install a ghost bike at the site of the crime.
Readers may recall that North Figueroa is one of Mayor Eric Garcetti's 15 selected Great Streets improvement areas, but that City Councilmember Gil Cedillo blocked the Transportation Department's ready-to-implement safety improvements.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino responded to the tragedy with a statement: "I am sickened by the deadly hit-and-run this morning in Highland Park and want to remind the media and all residents that there is a standing reward for all hit and run crimes in Los Angeles. There is an automatic $50,000 reward for the capture and conviction of the driver who struck this bicyclist. Please, please, please report any information you may have. Our city has an epidemic of hit and runs and the only way we can change this is to speak up."
Late developments: KCAL is now reporting that LAPD found the car and arrested a suspect. SBLA will update this post as additional information becomes available.
